To produce stronger and more durable products, pure silver is often combined with other metals. Sterling silver is the most popular alloy.
Fine silver (99.9% pure) is generally too soft for producing large functional objects; therefore, the silver is usually alloyed with copper to give it strength. Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5% by weight of silver and 7.5% by weight of other metals, such as copper. The sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal fineness of 925. This alloy preserves the elasticity and beauty of the precious metal.
What is Solid Gold Jewelry?
Prized for its beauty and versatility, gold is the classic setting for most jewelry. It's also the most malleable of all metals — so soft it can't be used for jewelry in its purest form. ... Pure gold is 24 karats, meaning 24 out of 24 parts are gold. To increase its strength, gold is combined with other metal alloys.
Of the four most common gold purity levels, 10K is the most durable, though it also has the lowest gold content. 14K is slightly purer while also highly durable, while 18K gold is the purest form of gold